John 13

I before the Feast of the Passover. Lange’s remarks on this narrative, as compared with those of the Synoptists, seem to express the reasonable solution of apparent discrepancies. “Since Christ desired to develop the Passover into the New Testament form of the Supper, it is quite significant that He so ordered the feast that the Passover itself took place before the beginning of the 15th Nisan and only the Supper fell into the full feast. Therefore He came early with the disciples to Jerusalem and commenced the celebration before the turning-point of the two days, i.e., before six o’clock on the evening of the 14th Nisan; so early was it that the conclusion of the Paschal feast or original Agape was reached before six o’clock, or, at all events, just about that hour. This simple supposition removes all difficulties, especially when it is observed that in those days the accuracy of our measurement of time had no existence.”

2 supper being ended. Rather, “when supper was come” (see ver. 26).

now. Rather, “already” (R.V.). Judas had, before this, made his compact with the Sanhedrin (Matt. xxvi. 14).

4 took a towel, and girded Himself. Coming in the dress of a menial servant, behind the couches on which the disciples were reclining (see note on Luke vii. 37).

6 dost Thou, etc.? The pronouns are emphatic, both in Peter’s question and in our Lord’s reply. “Surely it is not for Thee, the Master, thus to wait on me, the disciple, the servant.” “Surely it is not for thee, the disciple, the servant, to understand all that I, the Master, do.”

8. If I wash thee not. Our Lord, taking occasion from Peter’s words, uses the word “wash” as emblematical of spiritual purification (ep. I Cor. vi. 11; Titus iii. 5, 6). In the literal washing Judas shared, yet had “no part” with Jesus.

10. He that is washed, etc. Rather, “One who has been bathed” (not merely “washed,” as in vers. 5-8), “needs only to have his feet washed to be altogether clean.” When open sandals were worn, the feet required frequent washing, even if a person had recently bathed, and therefore was otherwise clean. So the true disciple needs repeated cleansing from daily sins, although he needs not again to be cleansed “every whit” like the unrenewed sinner.

14 ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. Washing the feet, being an office in constant requisition in Oriental countries, became a general expression for all brotherly and hospitable service: see 1 Tim. v. 10. Our Lord’s design is to commend to His disciples that brotherly love which manifests itself in real self-denial and cheerful condescension to the humblest tasks.

16. The servant is not greater than his lord. A proverbial expression employed by Jesus with various applications. See xv. 20; and ep. Matt. x. 24, 25; Luke vi. 40. Here its meaning is that what the Master condescends to perform cannot be unworthy of the bondservant.

17. If ye know, etc. It is easier to admire than to practise humility.

18. I know whom I have chosen. I know [the characters of those] whom I have chosen to be apostles (see vi. 70); so that I am not surprised, though troubled (21) that one of you should be false. And I now foretell his treachery, to give you another proof that I am all that I claim to be (19), and that I have received from the Father that authority which I still delegate to those of you who are faithful (20).

that the Scripture may be fulfilled. Acting in the exercise of his own free will, he did what God’s “hand and counsel had determined before to be done.”

He that eateth, etc. See note on Psa. xli. 9, of which this is a free quotation.

20. He that recelvet, etc. The connexion of thought seems to be with ver. 17: “Happy” are the truly humble, in that their lot is one with that of Christ. “He had just said: The servant is not greater than his master; He now seems to say, The servant is not less than his master” (Godet).

21-30. See Matt. xxvi. 21-25; Luke xxii. 21-23.

22 doubting. “At a loss to know” (Moffatt). It was now that each asked, “Lord, is it I?” as recorded by the other evangelists. “Their consciousness of innocence was less trustworthy than the declaration of Christ.”

23 leaning on Jesus’ bosom. They reclined at table, each on his left side (see note on Luke vii. 37), Jesus occupying the chief place in the centre of the middle couch; the next on His right was John, who could therefore easily “lean back on Jesus’ bosom,” and hold a private conversation with

Him. Judas was certainly near to our Lord; possibly next to Him on the other side (see Matt. xxvi. 23, 25).

whom Jesus loved. Evidently John himself: see xix. 26; xxi. 7, 20.

26 a (the) sop. Probably a piece of the unleavened bread, dipped in the sauce. This action, connected with our Lord’s previous words (18) and strong emotion (21), was calculated to awaken the traitor’s conscience; and as if challenging our Lord’s intimation, he, like the rest, demanded, “Is it I, Rabbi?” (Matt. xxvi. 25). Our Lord assents; and, probably resenting the exposure, Judas yields to Satan complete possession of his soul (27).

27. That thou doest, do quickly. Judas himself had made the decision: it only remained for him to carry it out, and to leave Jesus uninterrupted for these last precious moments of converse with His true disciples.

28 against the feast. See note, ver. 1. As the festival had only just begun, and would continue seven days longer, it is thought by many expositors that our Lord refers to the time succeeding the Paschal Supper.

30 immediately. In all probability before the institution of the Eucharist. The other evangelists do not mention the point at which Judas withdrew.

32 straightway. In the departure of the traitor Jesus not only finds relief (31), so that He can pour out all His heart to His faithful, though feeble followers; but He also sees the “immediate” hastening of that great event which is to glorify alike the Father and Himself.

33. Little children. A word indicating our Lord’s tenderness towards His disciples. The same word appears six times in 1 John. It is probable that the successive acts of the “Lord’s Supper” took place at intervals during these and the following remarks: see Luke xxii. 20; 1 Cor. xi. 25.

Whither I go, ye cannot come, etc. See vii. 33, 34; viii. 21, and notes. From friends and foes alike He was to be parted; but His friends shall rejoin Him (36).

34. A new commandment. The law given by Moses had long ago made our instinctive self-love the measure of our love to our fellow-men (Lev. xix. 18). But the self-sacrificing love of Jesus (see Phil. ii. 5-8) is here made both the motive and the model of our love to our fellow-Christians. This is plainly “a new commandment” (see 1 John ii. 7, 8); and is called “the law of Christ” (Gal. vi. 2).

36 thou shalt follow me afterwards. To the same home, and by a death somewhat similar: see on xxi. 18.

37. I will lay down my life, etc. Peter imagined that he would lay down his life for Jesus; whereas Jesus must first lay down His life for Peter, before Peter could be prepared to lay down his for his Lord.